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A specifically designed aquatic exercise protocol to reduce chronic lower limb edema
- Publication Year :
- 2017
-
Abstract
- Objective Despite the fact that muscle pump activation is known to positively impact chronic lower limb edema, objective measurements of standardized exercises for venous-lymphatic rehab are lacking. The aim of this investigation is to determine the effectiveness of an addressed physical activity exploiting the advantages of an aquatic environment. Material and methods Thirty-two lower limbs of 16 patients affected by bilateral chronic leg swelling were included (12 females, 4 males). All the patients underwent a protocol of five sessions of physical exercises specifically conceived inside a pool. Volumetry, subcutaneous thickness, ankle range of motion and symptomatology were assessed as outcome measures. Results One week after the end of the protocol, the average reduction in lower limb volume was 303.13 ± 69.72 ml ( p = 0.00002) and 334.38 ± 62.50 ml ( p = 0.000003) in the right and left legs, respectively. Ankle range of motion and feeling of heaviness significantly improved. Conclusion A specifically designed aquatic protocol is able to positively impact chronic leg swelling offering a first line rehab for this medical condition.
- Subjects :
- Male
medicine.medical_specialty
Lower limb edema
Leg swelling
Chronic venous insufficiency
lymphoedema
Physical activity
Socio-culturale
030204 cardiovascular system & hematology
Venous stasis
03 medical and health sciences
calf muscle pump function
0302 clinical medicine
Chronic venous disease
chronic venous insufficiency
venous stasis
Medicine
Edema
Humans
Prospective Studies
Range of Motion, Articular
Aged
business.industry
Aquatic exercise
General Medicine
Middle Aged
medicine.disease
Exercise Therapy
medicine.anatomical_structure
Chronic Disease
Physical therapy
Female
Ankle
Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
business
Range of motion
030217 neurology & neurosurgery
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....b451d25086fad83b2203440a73431b50